This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
As you plan for the big day to arrive, check out this list of tips all about how to host a sustainable kids party.
From choosing the best sustainable decor to figuring out mindful gifts to give,, this post will give you everything you need to know about throwing a party that is kind to the earth.
Use this post as guidance but don’t let it stress you out, even choosing a few things from this list and being intentional about what you purchase can go a long way in helping the earth to heal.
How do you throw an eco-friendly birthday party for children?
To host an eco friendly kids party try to focus on keeping decor simple, using what you have, including plant based snacks/desserts and keeping the focus on creating lasting memories rather than goods that will end up in the landfill. This can leave a positive impact on your family and the earth.
This post is all about the best sustainable birthday party ideas for kids.
The Best Sustainable Kids Party Ideas
1. Offer plant based snacks
Before the sugar rush of desserts hit, get the party started with nourishing and energizing whole food snacks that are plant based.
You don’t have to advertise that the snacks are vegan. There are plenty of vegan snacks that people will not think twice about and will just go straight to munching.
Also, even if you don’t want to have a fully vegan party, having some plant based options is always great to be more inclusive!
Here are some vegan snack crowd pleasers that are mostly finger food:
- Cut up fruit & veggies with hummus for dip
- Finger foods (minimizes plastic!)
- Fruit popsicles
- Fruit smoothie and.or fresh juice
- Dairy free chips, pretzels, popcorn etc.
2. Support local businesses that make vegan desserts
If you are not much of a baker, consider supporting local businesses that make plant based desserts.
You may be surprised to know that your local bakery has a few dairy free options or could custom make a dessert to your needs.
3. Thrift eco-friendly decorations & party supplies
You may be surprised at how much brand new party decor you can find at thrift stores.
Some larger stores will drop off their extra items that weren’t sold and you can score some major deals on these products and best of all save it from ending up in the landfill.
Skip the disposable decorations and opt for ones made out of natural materials like fabric and wood. It may take a little creativity and time but it is possible to make decorations a sustainable way.
Many party decorations on the market are made out of single use plastic that you will use for one party and throw out. If you do end up buying plastic party decor, try to be mindful of if it can be reused for birthday parties in the future.
4. Use a thrifted cloth table that can be decorated
If you walk into any party store you will see aisles and aisles of perfectly themed packets of party decor. Many of these party packets include tons of plastic waste.
Why not thrift a tablecloth that fits your theme or get a bit creative with letting the kids:
- Tie dye tablecloth
- Put markers on the table for kids to draw
- Adults can write birthday/congratulatory messages
- Use old newspapers and paint on the table
*can be used later for decor or memorabilia
5. DIY as much as you can from stuff you already own
This one might be obvious but it is worth noting. Rather than going out and buying all new decor, try to use what you have in your home to reimagine it and give it new life as party decor.
This decreases the amount of overconsumption you participate in which in the end reduces the amount of plastic decor that ends up in the landfill.
This tip may take a bit of creativity!
{RECOMMENDED POST: How to Seamlessly Introduce Your Kids to Zero Waste Living}
6. Use reusable plates/cutlery or check out compostable options
The most eco friendly choice for hosting would be to use normal dishware that can be thrown in the dishwasher rather than single-use items. Think of all the plastic (and money!) that you will save by committing to just this one tip!
But if it is a larger party or you just don’t have the extra energy to clean after all the festivities, check out Repurpose for your eco friendly plates. These are a bit more eco friendly than regular paper plates you would find at the grocery store.
This is why we love Repurpose:
- broad selection of products that can be found at many grocery stores
- compostable
- nontoxic
- up cycled and renewable
Here are some other eco friendly party products to consider!
- swap paper napkins for cloth napkins
- reusable cups, compostable plates, cutlery
- cloth table cloth
7. Be mindful of food waste
Once you come up with the perfect menu for your kids birthday party, take a second look at the quantity and make sure you are not over buying. Of course, you don’t want party goers to go hungry but if we are being honest, it is much easier to overbuy food in most cases.
If you do end up with a bunch of food at the end of the party, plan ahead and come up with your action plan.
Here are a few ideas to tackle food waste at your kids eco friendly birthday party:
- Have to go bags for guests to bring back their favorite treats
- Donate the extra food that is sealed. You may have to check with local food banks to see what they will take
- Freeze it!
- Incorporate it for other meals in the week (your kids lunchbox, family dinners, a fun picnic etc.)
Growing food, transporting it, and preparing takes so many resources so don’t let leftover food go to waste!
8. Host a party at low waste locations like at home, park, pool, zoo etc. Skip places like the mall.
When choosing the party location, there are some spaces that encourage less consumption and plastic over other.
Try to skip places like the mall or arcades and opt for outdoor spaces!
9. Use GoodLight birthday candles
Candles can be filled with many random chemicals and fragrances that you don’t really want in your birthday cake.
Check out these birthday candles from GoodLight that are
- palm wax and filament-free cotton wicks
- vegan
- compostable
- non-GMO
You can feel good about celebrating your loved one’s special day while also supporting an earth conscious candle company.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 13 Kind of Healthy Store Bought Vegan Kid Snacks They Will Actually Eat}
10. Eco card or ecard invitation
Rather than sending out a bunch of physical paper invites, consider sending an invitation through email!
Digital invites cut down on paper and trips to the post office.
11. Rent yard games & other fun party games
If you choose to host the party at home, ask around and see if there are any local businesses that rent out yard games in your area.
Instead of buying games that you may only use a couple of times per year and eventually throw out, consider supporting a company focused on reusing.
If you don’t have a business like this in your area you can always ask around and see if friends have yard games that can be borrowed.
Other fun party game ideas:
- Scavenger hunt
- soccer net, corn hole, badminton
- craft station
- board games
- treasure hunt
12. Prioritize mindful birthday gifts
I have seen other zero wasters address the over giving for kids parties by suggesting donating money to nonprofits rather than giving physical gifts.
I wholeheartedly agree that that is an incredible offering and a wonderful way to teach your kids that celebrations are not just about physical gifts but also about spending time with loved ones and spreading joy.
That being said, being a kid and not getting any toys for your birthday is rough lol.
That is why we have come up with a few alternatives that still are kind to the planet and your kids’ wishes of getting a little something for their special day!
- Art supplies
- Puzzles
- Homemade treats
- Plants in fun pots
- Thrifted toys
13. Skip the single use plastic wrapping paper
Did you know that a lot of wrapping paper uses plastic to make it more durable? It is going to be ripped apart anyways so try out some of these more eco friendly solutions to wrapping up gifts.
Eco friendly birthday party wrapping ideas:
- use cloth (also called furoshiki- a Japanese wrapping method)
- use old newspapers or leftover paper
- use old shipping boxes and decorate them
{RECOMMENDED POST: Our Favorite 8 Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas For Every Occasion}
14. Eco friendly party favors
What about goody bags for guests? Unfortunately, typical party favors are generally filled with plastic, think tiny plastic toys. These are the exact items that get played with for a bit and then unfortunately thrown out and end up flooding landfills.
Here are a few eco friendly party bags you can offer:
- plant based snacks or candy
- wooden toys
- coupons to icecream shops
- Thrifted toys
Instead of the wasteful plastic party favor bags, consider buying paper bags and decorating them. If you are into sewing you could even make little bags from scrap fabric. They don’t have to be complicated. Kids love little bags and purses to store all of their treasures so this will be a gift that keeps on giving!
15. Have recycling bins and trash bins available
Even if you plan the most perfect zero waste birthday party to exist, there will most likely be a bit of trash or recycling somehow.
Make sure to have clearly labeled bins for party guests to dispose of things in. That way runaway trash doesn’t end up becoming litter.
Also, make sure they are short enough for younger kids to have access to them as well. Got to start making eco friendly choices young!
16. Consider skipping the themed party
This one may be a bit controversial but consider not a having a super specific theme to your kid’s birthday parties.
This will widen the net of creativity and being able to find sustainable products to celebrate with. If your kids love a specific character or show and they really want it to be incorporated, maybe buy a couple themed items but just don’t get overboard buying the entire party set.
Another great option is to go with party theme colors as that is more broad.
Have you tried any of the eco friendly kids party tips on the list? Let us know in the comments below! I would love to learn from you as well. I hope you enjoy your birthday bash!
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best sustainable kids party ideas.
Other posts you may like:
Self Care for Kids: 5 Simple Self Care Routines and Activities To Help Your Kids Thrive
Your Go To Guide For Eco Friendly Back to School Supplies and Tips For a Sustainable School Year
5 Must Know Eco friendly Baby Tips for Eco Conscious Parents
If you would like to save this post for later-pin it!
